City appeals Landmarks Commission approval of Portland Building renovation

An appeal of the Portland Historic Landmarks Commission’s conditional approval of the renovation of the Portland Building is scheduled to go before city council later this month. (DLR Group)

The city of Portland is appealing the Historic Landmarks Commission’s conditional approval of a renovation plan for the Portland Building in downtown. The conditional approval passed by a 4-0 vote at a July 24 hearing.

The plan for the $195 million renovation involves the use of a metal tile rain screen system to cover the exterior of the building. It would simulate the building’s existing appearance and address many of the problems that have plagued the structure.

The sticking point revolves around a condition of the Landmarks Commission’s approval that requires the proposed rooftop mechanical equipment be reduced by 50 percent or moved inside the building, according to Jen Clodius, a spokeswoman for the city.

During the July hearing, Landmarks Commission members said they felt the equipment being proposed was too large and would be too visible sitting atop the iconic building, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Design team members said they were concerned that moving the mechanical equipment inside the structure would recreate many of the problems that the current building has suffered. Currently, mechanical equipment for the building sits on the second floor of the structure.

The appeal is scheduled to go before the Portland City Council at 3 p.m. on Aug. 24.